By John Audu, Abuja.
Tigran Gambaryan, a senior executive at Binance, has reiterated his claims of bribery against certain Nigerian government officials and members of the House of Representatives, despite the federal government’s denial of these allegations. Gambaryan, who serves as Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, was detained in Nigeria from February to October 2024 amid a broader investigation into alleged money laundering and economic destabilization linked to the cryptocurrency exchange’s activities.
In a series of posts on social media, Gambaryan alleged that some Nigerian lawmakers solicited substantial bribes in cryptocurrency, specifically naming three legislators—Philip Agbese, Ginger Onwusibe, and Peter Akpanke—who he claims demanded a $150 million bribe to prevent his arrest and prosecution. He also accused Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, of seeking significant payments for his political ambitions.
In response, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed Gambaryan’s allegations as “outrageous” and “defamatory.” Idris stated that the Nigerian government had rejected a $5 million offer from Binance aimed at securing Gambaryan’s release, opting instead for a more favorable resolution with the U.S. government. He characterized Gambaryan’s claims as lacking credibility and suggested they were an attempt to tarnish the reputation of Nigerian officials.
Gambaryan, however, maintains that his accusations are based on personal experiences and conversations with individuals knowledgeable about the events. He expressed frustration over the government’s handling of his situation, claiming he was used as leverage in negotiations with the U.S. government.
In his latest remarks, he recounted being invited to meetings by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and House members, asserting that these officials are part of the Nigerian government. He criticized the government’s narrative, stating, “You dragged my name through the mud for the past year with zero evidence against me, nearly killed me, and caused trauma to my family.”
Gambaryan emphasized that his credibility is intact and expressed a desire to move on from the ordeal. “The reality is that last year was incredibly painful for me and my family,” he said, highlighting the emotional toll the situation has taken on him and his loved ones. He called for the responsibility of the investigation to fall on current law enforcement officials in both Nigeria and the U.S., stating, “I don’t want to see my kids cry because I’m not around. I want to put this nightmare behind me and move on.”
